Slurry is one of the most challenging fluids to work with. It is highly abrasive, thick, sometimes corrosive, and contains a high concentration of solids. There is no doubt that conveying slurries is difficult for pumps. But choosing the right pump for these material applications can have a significant long-term beneficial impact.
Slurry pumps are typically larger in size and often require more horsepower to operate than lower viscosity liquid pumps because they are less efficient. Bearings and shafts must also be more robust and durable.
To protect the pump casing from wear, slurry pumps are often lined with metal or rubber.
The metal casing consists of carbide. These housings can withstand the erosion caused by increased pressure and circulation.
Slurry is any mixture of fluid and fine solid particles. Examples of slurries include: manure, cement, starch or coal suspended in water. Slurries are used as a convenient way to handle solids in mining, steel processing, foundry, power generation, and more recently in frac sand mining.
Slurries typically behave in the same way as thick viscous fluids, flowing by gravity, but can also be pumped as needed. Slurries are divided into two main categories: non-settling or settling.
Non-settling slurries consist of very fine particles that create the illusion of increased apparent viscosity. These slurries usually have low wear characteristics, but require very careful consideration when selecting the right pump, as they behave differently than normal liquids.
Settling slurries are formed by coarse particles, and these particles tend to form unstable mixtures. Special attention should be paid to flow and power calculations when selecting a pump. Most slurry applications consist of coarse particles and therefore have a higher wear performance.
The following characteristics are common to slurries.
